'85 cherokee diesel questions
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
biggest problem, this is a timing belt driven engine that leaks oil at the crank and camshaft, which makes the belts soft and snap......I had a customer with one, we replaced the seals three times and the belt four times in the course of the 120,000 miles that he owned it.
Turbo couldn't suck a tissue out of your hand at WOT, bad design.
Drop in a 01-06 2.7L mercedes 5 cly turbo diesel instead.
Turbo couldn't suck a tissue out of your hand at WOT, bad design.
Drop in a 01-06 2.7L mercedes 5 cly turbo diesel instead.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I've been looking for one here in Cali, and MO but can't find any (go figure). The diesel is rare enough that to have one is cool. It's just an oddball.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Junkyard. Ever research that motor? I guess Jeep had an Italian engineer for a time that spearheaded the OHC stuff.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
[QUOTE=cruiser54;2319595]Junkyard. Ever research that motor? I guess Jeep had an Italian engineer for a time that spearheaded the OHC stuff.[/QUOTE
Not too much..... I know the valves are operated by the same cam lobe, so you have a full 180 degrees in valve separation. Kaiser-jeep was the first to do it. Argintina made that motor till @1980. Was only in a few civilian models(none were 4WD), but was put in the M-715 for a while. Reasearched it a little...lol
I think we hijacked a thread?
Not too much..... I know the valves are operated by the same cam lobe, so you have a full 180 degrees in valve separation. Kaiser-jeep was the first to do it. Argintina made that motor till @1980. Was only in a few civilian models(none were 4WD), but was put in the M-715 for a while. Reasearched it a little...lol
I think we hijacked a thread?
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That is Automan2164 and he is a mod on Comanche Club. Shoot him a bunch of questions about the motor, he loves to talk about it. It has been an adventure for him to get parts to put that one back to stock.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
My diesel senses are tingling... That, and whowey sent me a link. How may I be of service?
Alright fellow XJers, A friend of mine found a nice 1985 XJ with the Renault 2.1 diesel under the hood. I'm really tempted to get it, as I'm lookin for a new DD and somethin with good mpgs. This thing only has 74k on the clock, and for being so rare it seems like a good deal at $4800.
Here's the craigslist post: http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/3547287785.html
I already know the rear leafs are sagging and the rims aren't original, but the rest of the thing looks perfect. My questions are:
What are the mpgs with these?
Are they reliable at all?
What are the power specs?
How hard are they to work on?
Are the parts real hard to find?
Does anyone even know much on them?
I'm really interested in it, since I love the classic XJ and it would look sweet sitting next to my 89 in the driveway. The only thing stopping me from getting it is the performance really. Like I said, it will be my new DD. I just don't have the cash to buy another XJ for a collectible :/ I'd hate to see it go, but I gotta do what's financially smarter. Any help on this would be really appreciated. I'm gonna call tomorrow for any more info on it or pictures. Hopefully they'll take about 3.5-4k for it.
Here's the craigslist post: http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/3547287785.html
I already know the rear leafs are sagging and the rims aren't original, but the rest of the thing looks perfect. My questions are:
What are the mpgs with these?
Are they reliable at all?
What are the power specs?
How hard are they to work on?
Are the parts real hard to find?
Does anyone even know much on them?
I'm really interested in it, since I love the classic XJ and it would look sweet sitting next to my 89 in the driveway. The only thing stopping me from getting it is the performance really. Like I said, it will be my new DD. I just don't have the cash to buy another XJ for a collectible :/ I'd hate to see it go, but I gotta do what's financially smarter. Any help on this would be really appreciated. I'm gonna call tomorrow for any more info on it or pictures. Hopefully they'll take about 3.5-4k for it.
Reliable? Sure, but you need to keep up on the maintenance. Timing belts are often overlooked, and they are interference engines. Also, it's a French diesel. Which means it was built like it should be maintained in Europe, with the people who know the finicky diesels.
Power Specs? 85 Horse, 135 Torque.
Hard to work on? Eh. Yes and no. If you can read a manual, you can work on it. I had some help from another 2.1 owner with my injection pump and a general look over.
Parts hard to find? Yes. Depending on the part. I had to get timing belts from Belgium, engine gaskets from Germany, and source a Thermostatic Capsule from a dusty shelf at a dealer out east. Everything other than the diesel specific stuff is about as easy to find as anything else.
Does anyone know much about them? As an owner of one... I like to think I have a bit more knowledge than your average bear.
Price seems about right for someone who wants one, but only if it sells. This is one of those classic 'only worth what someone will pay' things. A lot of people like it because it's rare and weird, and a lot of people won't own one for the same reasons. I wouldn't want to purchase one without knowing a good history on it. Maintenance records are a huge breaking point.
Rob
Last edited by Automan2164; Feb 20, 2013 at 09:27 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 4
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I also owned a 2.1L Comanche TD.
270xxx miles on it. It was great. got it with 101k on it.
interference engine, precise maintenance. If you take care of it like you're french, it will run forever.
but that price is high for an xj. they are actually fairly common. There were only 30 MJ diesels I could ever find in the continental U.S.
270xxx miles on it. It was great. got it with 101k on it.
interference engine, precise maintenance. If you take care of it like you're french, it will run forever.
but that price is high for an xj. they are actually fairly common. There were only 30 MJ diesels I could ever find in the continental U.S.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Wonder if you could inj. it and pull more #s' across the board. 215 horse is quite a bit stock.